Christ Church Chronicle 12-3-23

December 3, 2023

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OUR PARISH MISSION

Christ Church exists to show everyone God loves them unconditionally.

We do that by EXPERIENCING, EMBRACING, AND EXTENDING

God's love.

There are three ways to give to the mission of Christ Church:

you can mail in your pledge, give online, or text GIVE to (850) 403-6673.

We experience God's love (Worship)

Sunday 10:30 AM service streamed on Facebook Live or YouTube

Click here to listen to last week's sermon.

**An email is sent on Saturdays with links for Sunday worship and Christian Education.

In-Person services on Sunday at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM

In-Person service on Wednesday at 12:00 PM

We embrace God's love (Study/Formation)

Advent Christian Formation Offering

“Spoken through the Prophets” led by Fr. Michael & Rev. Katie

Sundays, December 3, 10 & 17 ~ 9:30 AM ~ Parish Hall

Join Fr. Michael and Rev. Katie for the three-week Advent series, “Spoken through the Prophets”. The season of Advent is a time of preparation, and we hear several passages from the Prophet Isaiah. In this class, we will study the birth narratives in the Gospel of Matthew and Luke and what we hear from the Prophets Isaiah, Micah, and Malachi. This class will be held at 9:30 AM in the Parish Hall.

New Adult Christian Education Offering

An Advent Meditation — Preparing the Way: Christian Practices for Advent

from The Forward Movement

Sundays ~ 9:15 AM ~ Rm. 31 of Education Bldg. or by Zoom link here

Meeting ID: 878 4884 3240 Password: 510649

“For Christians, the season of Advent should be a time of reflection, of waiting and watching for Jesus’s miraculous birth. But the secular celebrations often whip us into a frenzy of shopping, decorating, baking, and scheduling encounters with Santa (and the elves!). Our faith beckons us to a gentler way, one focused on the divine.” Sunday class sessions will be a time to reflect on how the short daily devotions and the suggested practices assist an experience of Jesus’ Advent anew.

We extend the love of God (Outreach/Parishioner Support)

Montclair Angel Tree

Christ Church is supporting students in great need at Montclair Elementary School with gifts for Christmas. The Angel Tree is in the Parish Hall. “Adopt” a student to provide an outfit and toy for Christmas or a teacher to provide gift cards for needed classroom items and appreciate the work they do. Too busy or prefer not to shop? No problem! Donations are greatly appreciated via a check made out to Christ Church, clearly marked for the Angel Tree, that can be dropped off at Church, in the Parish Hall, mailed in, or you can give online (please select outreach fund). We will also need volunteers to help shop, sort, and transport gifts. To volunteer or if you have any questions, contact Krista. All labeled, unwrapped presents must be brought to the church by Wednesday, December 13.

Ministry Opportunities & Ways to Serve

What does it mean to be the Church? The Church is not a building, but a community of people and there are many opportunities where you can share your gifts within our community. How is God leading YOU to serve in new and exciting ways at Christ Church? For a full list of ministry descriptions, please click here; for volunteer signup form, click here.

Host Ministry

Hosts welcome visitors and parishioners to Christ Church on Sunday mornings before the 8 AM service, 9:30 AM formation hour, and 10:30 AM service. Hosts provide directions to various locations to aid in navigating our church campus, creating a welcoming experience. Contact Krista to be part of this new ministry.

HAPPENINGS

UPCOMING EVENTS

Breakfast with Santa

Saturday, December 2

ECW Bake Sale

Sunday, December 10

Christmas Pageant

Sunday, December 17

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS SERVICE SCHEDULE

Children's Christmas Pageant

Sunday, December 17 ~ during the 10:30 service

Christmas Eve ~ Sunday, December 24

9:30 AM Holy Eucharist ~ Nursery care available

**Please note we will offer only one service in the morning on Christmas Eve.**

(No Christian Education)

4:00 PM Holy Eucharist for Children & Families ~ Nursery care available

6:00 PM Holy Eucharist ~ Nursery care available

10:00 PM Christmas Prelude Concert with the Parish Choir

10:30 PM The Midnight Mass of Christmas

**Please note we will not offer a service on Christmas Day.**

The Parish Office will be closed

Monday, December 25 through Monday, January 1.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Saturday, December 2 ~ Parish Hall

On Saturday, December 2, Santa Claus is coming to Christ Church and can't wait to see you! Join Santa for a special breakfast with seatings at 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 AM. Fill out your letter to Santa and have fun with friends as you start your holiday season with us. Santa has a special spot for your family to get one-on-one time with him, share your Christmas list, and get a family photo. Cost is $5.00 per person.

CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets! Breakfast with Santa is open to the community – friends, family, and elves are always welcome! This event sold out last year and we are excited for another great year so get your tickets early!

Breakfast with Santa cannot happen without a crew of helpful, spirited elves. If you are available to help decorate November 27 through December 1 during the day or during Breakfast with Santa, please email/contact Victoria! Questions? Email Victoria.

THE MONTCLAIR ANGEL TREE IS HERE!

CHRISTMAS FLOWER DEDICATIONS

The beautiful poinsettias and live greenery that adorn our altar, chancel rail and chapel are a special part of the celebration of Christmas at Christ Church. We invite all parishioners to share in the experience through a memorial or thanksgiving gift. Names of the loved ones you honor or remember will be printed in the Christmas bulletin. Flower dedication forms are available here and on the information table in the Parish Hall and are due no later than Wednesday, December 13.

ADVENT CHRISTIAN FORMATION OFFERING:

“Spoken through the Prophets” led by Fr. Michael & Rev. Katie

Sundays, December 3, 10 & 17 ~ 9:30 AM ~ Parish Hall

WOULD YOU LIKE TO REPRESENT CHRIST CHURCH PARISH

DURING THE 53rd ANNUAL CONVENTION

OF THE DIOCESE OF THE CENTRAL GULF COAST IN 2024?

The Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast will gather for convention at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Daphne, February 22-24, 2024. At its regular December meeting, the vestry of Christ Church will elect delegates and alternatives to represent our parish at this annual convention. To be eligible for election, you must be at least sixteen years of age, a confirmed member in good standing at Christ Church, and make a regular financial contribution to this parish. If you would like to be considered as a candidate, please email Kelly. Sign-up deadline is Friday, December 8, 2023.

ECW DECEMBER LUNCHEON

Tuesday, December 5 ~ 11:30 AM ~ Library

"Festive Holiday Music"

Cost of box lunch is $15; payable at the door. Please sign up by Friday, December 1, by contacting Kelly at the Parish Office, 432-5115, or by email here. There is also a sign up sheet on the information table in the Parish Hall.

YACC (YOUNG ADULTS OF CHRIST CHURCH)

Tuesdays ~ 6:30 PM ~ Odd Colony

Please contact Rev. Katie or Tess with any questions.

EPIC BOOK CLUB

Wednesday, December 6 ~ 3:00 PM ~ Library

The Epic Book Club meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 3:00 PM in the Library on the second floor of the Christian Education building. The December book discussion will be Horse by Geraldine Brooks. Upcoming reads: January (Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry); February (Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston).

ECW BAKE SALE

Sunday, December 10 ~ after both services

Parish Hall

The ECW Bake Sale will take place on Sunday, December 10. We will be selling our delicious treats in the Parish HalI after the 8:00 and 10:30 services. Come and purchase our homemade cookies, cakes, pies, candy, breads, and other delectable goodies! Baked goods make great gifts! If you would like to help with wrapping baked goods on Saturday, December 9 for the Bake Sale, please contact Allison Mitchell.

ST. LUKE’S CHAPTER

Tuesday, December 12 ~ 11:00 AM ~ at the home of Bonnie Benz

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, December 12, 11:00 AM, at the home of Bonnie Benz, 4350 Gusty Terrace. We will have a potluck lunch. Please RSVP to Marcia Sevold.

CIRCLE OF CARE MEETING

Wednesday, December 13 ~ 11:00 AM ~ Library

PRIMETIMERS CHRISTMAS SOCIAL

Wednesday, December 13 ~ 1:30 PM ~ Library

The Primetimers will have a Christmas social on Wednesday, December 13 at 1:30 PM in the Library. Please join us and bring your favorite goodie with some to share. We hope to see you there!

EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY (EfM) REGISTRATION FOR NEW YEAR

The Outline of Faith in our Book of Common Prayer asks the question “Through whom does the Church carry out its mission?” Our answer is “The church carries out its mission through the ministry of all its members.” EfM will enrich your spiritual life and support you as you discover and live out your ministry. How can you best use your gifts and talents? EfM is designed for lay people with big questions and a hunger to better understand our faith. We join together weekly to study Old Testament, New Testament, church history and theological thinking in a four year program but you only commit to one academic year at a time. The seminar builds fellowship, understanding and a sense of how God is working in your life. Registration for our new year ends December 12. We will meet on Tuesday evenings at Christ Church, 5-7:30 PM beginning January 9, 2024. Tuition includes the 2022-2023 Reading and Reflection Guide. For additional information, contact Pam Tanner with questions.

NEW ADULT CHRISTIAN FORMATION OFFERING

BEGINNING SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3

An Advent Meditation —

Preparing the Way: Christian Practices for Advent

from The Forward Movement

Sundays ~ 9:15 AM

Rm. 31 of Education Bldg. or by Zoom link here

Contemplative Outreach of Pensacola presents

IMMERSED in SILENCE

Advent is not just waiting for a feast. It is waiting for God,

waiting to be reborn, waiting to be transformed.

Saturday, December 2 ~ 10:00-11:30 AM

Gulf Breeze United Methodist

The Chapel ~ 101 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze

May the morning’s rhythm begin our conscious “waiting”

and remind us of our commitment

to nurture our relationship with God every day:

Centering Prayer, Sacred Movement, & Lectio Divina.

or contact Carol Lewis.

Pensacola Bay Concert Band presents the

"COMMUNITY BANDS OF THE PANHANDLE"

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Monday, December 11 ~ 7:00 PM

Sanders Beach Resource Center

Christ Church’s “Ensemble in Residence”, the Pensacola Bay Concert Band, presents the “Community Bands of the Panhandle” Christmas Concert, to be held this year at 7:00 PM on Monday, December 11, at the Sanders Beach Resource Center, 913 S I St. Joining us will be our “sister” community bands: North Okaloosa Community Band; Walton County Community Band; and Emerald Coast Community Band. Each band will perform their own Christmas mini-concert, and a Grand Finale will combine all four bands in a holiday performance spectacular of nearly 200 musicians! An event not to be missed!! Free admission, but please bring non-perishable food items which will be donated to Manna Food Pantry.

HOLY BAPTISM AT CHRIST CHURCH

Upcoming Dates for the Sacrament of New Birth

January 7, 2024 — Baptism of our Lord

Please contact Kelly at the Parish Office to make preparations.

SUNDAY CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES

8:00 AM – Worship with Nursery available. The Nursery is available for children ages infant through 3 years old. This year, special books, age-appropriate activities, and a snack are offered.

9:30 AM – Sunday School is available for children and youth. The Nursery is available for children ages infant through 3 years old. Godly Play is offered for children 4 years old through 3rd grade. Journey Through the Bible is offered for children in 4th and 5th grades.

10:30 AM – Worship with Nursery available. The Nursery is available for children ages infant through 3 years old. This service also includes Children's Chapel during the sermon, designed especially for children ages 4 years old and up. Children are invited to follow the cross down the main aisle during the hymn of praise and will return during the peace, just in time to have communion with their families.

STAY CONNECTED WITH

CHILDREN & FAMILY MINISTRY!

Children and Family Ministry (CFM) has two ways to keep our families connected with Christ Church during the week. CFM is on Instagram, @cckidspensacola, and shares what is happening on Sunday mornings & ideas for how to keep faithful conversations happening during the week. CFM also has a bite-sized weekly email with the "5 Things" our families need to know for the week – Sunday reminders, save the dates, and more. Would you like to be added? Email Victoria to be added to the list!

EPISCOPAL YOUTH COMMUNITY NEWS

EYC DECEMBER EVENTS

Sunday, December 3

Pick up your free Youth Family Advent Box in the Parish Hall after either service.
Advent "Youth Chapel" starts - EYC will pause our usual Sunday School at 9:30 AM. Instead, join us for chapel during the 10:30 service. Youth will leave the service and head to the Undercroft to talk about how we prepare during Advent. We will return to church at the announcements. Youth Chapel runs through Sunday, December 17.

Youth Group

Youth Group will meet Mondays, December 4 & 11. Join us as we finish our "For All People" series and end with an epic Christmas party on the 11th!

High School

Bible Study will meet on Thursdays, December 7 & 14. We are working on an Advent series.
High School only Christmas party in the Undercroft on Sunday, December 17, following the 10:30 service. Lunch provided. Please bring a wrapped $10 gift to participate in our dirty Santa gift exchange!

Breakfast with Santa

Volunteer to be an elf on Saturday, December 2. Sign up here.

Weekly Meetings

Youth Group ~ Mondays, 7:00-8:30 PM (all youth)

(drop off at the black gate in the parking lot; pick up from the front doors of the church —

parents are welcome to join us for compline in the church at 8:15 PM)

High School Bible Study ~ Thursdays, 7-8 AM ~ at Bodacious

View our calendar of events here.

CHRIST CHURCH NAMETAGS

Christ Church nametags are back! To request yours, please sign up after services on Sundays in the Parish Hall or online here. Nametags may be picked up in the Parish Hall the Sunday after your request is submitted.

ALTAR FLOWER DEDICATIONS

Each week our worship service is enhanced with beautiful fresh flowers. After the Sunday services, the altar flower arrangements are reworked into smaller arrangements. These arrangements are delivered to members of our parish family that are unable to attend a Sunday service. The altar flowers are a memorial, a thanksgiving for an anniversary, a birthday, a new birth, or a thanksgiving for God's blessings. The donation is listed in the weekly bulletin. Forms to participate in this ministry are available here and on the information table in the Parish Hall.

CARE IN COMMUNITY

Christ Church is here for you. There are many ministries to love and support the people who are the church. If you are interested in assisting with staying connected to our church family, please email Rev. Katie or call her at the Parish Office, 850-432-5115. It is easy to feel alone or disconnected, so reach out to one of the priests or someone at the church to say hello. Contact Rev. Katie if you or anyone you know has any needs. If you have a pastoral emergency, please call our pastoral care emergency line to speak directly with one of the priests: (850) 462-5137.

BIRTHDAYS & WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

FOR THE PARISH FAMILY

We would like to give thanks for these special days and to add your name to the published prayer list in the Chronicle. Please print your name on the calendar on the information table in the Parish Hall. The calendar is checked weekly before the prayer list goes to print.

PRAYERS FOR OUR PARISH FAMILY

I. For Those in Need. Including the poor, the unemployed, the lonely, the hungry, the homeless, the abused, the sick and dying, and those who grieve. For those suffering in body, mind, or spirit—including Members: Don Meyer, John Hunt, Joel Maddox, Elaine & Bill Parker, Joan & Paul White, Chuck Riley, John & Gail LeRoy, Leonora Edwards, Susan Martin, Laura Wolfersperger, Dee Whisenhunt Family & Friends: Jane Buttram, Craig Carlson, Pierre Montambault, Jeff, Ghada, Stephen & Sabastian Pribble, Kelly Currin, Rob Wilmer.

II. For Those in the Armed Forces, especially—Erik Barton, Stewart Bova, Morgan Cochran, Danica Roark Domokos, Sam Gaston, Robert Geiger, Sterling Gilliam III, Mitchell Harless, William Harper, Harry B. Harris, Benjamin Jensen, Joshua Justin, Art Lantigua, Hillary Leonard, Ben Mathis, Kathryn Martin, Sean McAbee, Tony Miller, Austin Ordway, Gavin Harris Patterson, Kyle Roberson, Peter Shelton, Evan Valdyke, Wesley Valdyke, Jake Willstatter; and all those who serve this nation in harm’s way.

III. For All who have Died. May their souls and the souls of all the departed rest in peace.

IV. In Thanksgiving. For those in our parish celebrating birthdays—Erin Currie, Brent Sawyer, Elizabeth Woolf—and anniversaries.

To submit a prayer request, email prayer-request@christ-church.net and let us know if this is for the public prayer list or for our confidential intercessory prayer list. You may also fill out the prayer request form online at our website (found on the Pastoral Care page under “Ministries”). All published prayer requests on this list also go on the confidential intercessory prayer list. Please note that names remain on the prayer list for 4 weeks and on our confidential intercessory prayer list until you ask to be removed. Please resubmit your request if you or a loved one needs to remain on the list. This helps keep our prayers current. Names in bold print indicate new additions to the prayer list.

TRANSITIONS

We welcome

Ben, Juniper, Piper & Coco Heistein who visited with us on 12 November 2023;

and Christopher Clarke who visited with us on 19 November 2023.

The sympathy of the parish is extended to the family of

Sandra Heard Ford who died on 10 November 2023;

and to the family of

George Raymond Fox who died on 16 November 2023.

Calendar | Contact Us | Christ-Church.net

STAY CONNECTED